There is a sink or swim mentality here. There are often lofty goals, but little is shared about how to accomplish them or definitions around the project and what success looks like. Support is all talk. There aren't a lot of opportunities for promotion, some people have worked here for years without a title and pay change to senior or otherwise.
There is a culture of micromanagement. It starts from the top and is maintained by lower management and individual contributors. It manifests as gossip, lying, blame-shifting, passive-aggressiveness, showing favoritism, using guilt to motivate, over-reporting of non-incidents (for example being reported for yawning or not having the “right” facial expression, I know, that sounds unbelievable, believe it), and write-ups for minor infractions. It creates a level of toxicity that amounts to a hostile work environment. There is little trust, but it can be tolerated for a while because it is framed as benevolence. Boss mommy and boss daddy just want the best for you.
Benefits are the standard 401k and health care. I cannot say if the pay is competitive for everyone, I imagine that it is not, based on the recent exits. HR promotes additional benefits, but they are only accessible to a few people in a narrow context. At the end of the day, working at WoodmenLife is less about quality of work and more about time spent in your in-person or digital seat. The compressed workweek is not a benefit, it’s more hours during the week to make up for the 4 hours off on Friday. It's not family-friendly.
While the company is attempting to integrate modern practices, it is still not there. There are a number of people who have written the same thing from a few years ago. These issues around technology, management, diversity, and flexibility still exist and I don’t predict them changing in a reasonable timeframe. It’s not really a company that values family or work-life balance in the digital age–imagine still being expected to work when ill or family is ill with covid. There are still frequent emails about covid exposures on campus.
To current and seeking employees: This place reminds me of a middle school. They do a roll call in massive meetings. They demand you volunteer an overwhelming amount of personal information if your work or personal schedule deviates by a day. Your internet went out for 5 minutes? Great, I don’t care, it’s 5 minutes, grab a coffee and don’t tell me about it, and don’t tolerate management asking you to take PTO–the VPN is slow and takes you offline, that’s not your fault. You have to use the toilet? Fantastic, go for it, your bathroom isn’t my business. Don’t let this company treat you like a grade-schooler asking for a potty pass. That is far more information than any company should know, regardless of what management says. Finally, consider that micromanagement and protect yourself by recording and documenting the behavior. It’s not ok to be treated in that manner and your health and safety matter. Your experience, your knowledge, and your drive are great attributes, if you don't feel valued there are other places that would love to have you.
